M42: Motorway Service Areas

Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish correspondence between the Highways Agency and Shirley Estates on the proposed motorway service area at junction 4 of the M42.

Dr. Ladyman
Correspondence between the Highways Agency and Shirley Estates on the proposed motorway service area at junction 4 of the M42 is ongoing. As this correspondence refers to work in progress it is not appropriate to publish it at present. The conclusions reached as a result of this correspondence will be included in the Highways Agency’s proof of evidence to be presented at the public inquiry and this document will be in the public domain at the appropriate time.

Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the correspondence between the Highways Agency, Birmingham International airport and Swayfields with regard to the proposed motorway service area between junction 5 and junction 6 of the M42.

Dr. Ladyman
Correspondence between the Highways Agency, Birmingham International airport and Swayfields on the proposed motorway service area between junction 5 and junction 6 of the M42 is ongoing. As this correspondence refers to work in progress it is not appropriate to publish it at present. The conclusions reached as a result of this correspondence will be included in the Highways Agency’s proof of evidence to be presented at the public inquiry and this document will be in the public domain at the appropriate time.

Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations between the Highways Agency and Shirley Estates with regard to the proposed motorway service area at Junction 4 of the M42.

Dr. Ladyman
The Highways Agency is not negotiating with Shirley Estates with regard to the proposed motorway service area at Junction 4 of the M42. As part of the planning process the Highways Agency has a duty to cooperate and act reasonably in considering proposals coming forward. No conclusions on the acceptability of the proposals have been reached.

Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations between the Highways Agency, Birmingham International Airport and Swayfields on the proposed motorway service area between Junction 5 and Junction 6 of the M42.

Dr. Ladyman
The Highways Agency is not negotiating with Birmingham International Airport and Swayfields with regard to the proposed motorway service area between Junction 5 and Junction 6 of the M42. As part of the planning process the Highways Agency has a duty to cooperate and act reasonably in considering proposals coming forward. No conclusions on the acceptability of the proposals have been reached.

The Highways Agency has been working with Birmingham International Airport Limited and the National Exhibition Centre on options for improving motorway access from the M42 to their developments. A Joint Statement produced by the Highways Agency, Birmingham International Airport Limited and the National Exhibition Centre regarding options for improving motorway access from the M42 was read out and given to the inspector at the pre-inquiry meeting on 19 March 2007.